Module 1 · Introduction to Programming · Lesson 5 of 7

Compilation vs interpretation

High-level code has to be turned into machine instructions before it can run. There are two classic ways to do it, and the difference is mostly when the translation happens.

x = 2
y = 3
print(x + y)

x = 2
y = 3
print(x + y)

A compiler translates your whole program ahead of time into a standalone machine-code file. After that, the computer runs the file directly — the original source isn't needed anymore.

An interpreter takes a different route: it reads your source and runs it line by line, translating on the fly each time the program runs. Python works this way — which is why the next lesson looks at exactly what an interpreter does.